Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

This is the first PDA for myself. I don't see much speed difference between the platinum and deluxe. But with the upgraded OS. . .I will be purchasing an IR printer and a stowaway keyboard for school.

The case is a nice silver. The platinum does not look like a toy like the deluxe series. Also the platinum comes with a nice weighted stylus that has a reset pin on the head and a small phillip screwdriver on the end.

With regards to modules. . .the only module I am interested in is the 6-pack by innogear. All software modules are overpriced. Buy the software version instead of the module and save yourself some money. Also many of the modules that "transform" your handspring into a phone. . .mp3 player. . .etc. . .is a good idea if it weren't for the high price for a mediocre product. Do yourself a favor and buy yourself a phone (which is cheaper with a plan AND the new nokia phones are just way cool) or an MD player.

In all. . .this is a great PDA. . .easy to use. . .yada yada. . .(palms and visors do the same thing. . .nothing much has changed)but don't get too hyped up about the modules. . .they generally are not worth the money.

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Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 65

"Also the platinum comes with a nice weighted stylus that has a reset pin on the head and a small phillip screwdriver on the end."

the styli in all the Visor line is the same. The VPL does not have a better stylus than the deluxe.


In reply to your previous comment regarding the overpricing of the various modules. This is strictly opinion! I feel that the backup module is priced fairly. And from what I have seen, these are of pretty good quaility. I really don't think that your arguments are a result of being well informed as this is your first handheld. Maybe a product should be tried and evaluated before judgements are passed, especially from a novice!!

Marc Chasin, MD

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

quote:

---

Originally posted by fmlydoc
The styli in all the Visor line is the same.

---

The basic 2mb visor has the cheap plastic stylus still...

quote:

---

Maybe a product should be tried and evaluated before judgements are passed, especially from a novice!!

---

Yikes! And maybe someone should lighten up before passing judgement on the novice. So what if he forgot the IMHO disclaimer. Opinions are simply that, opinions.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 65

My reply was not meant as harsh. However before a product is critizied I feel it should be adequately evaluated. The original poster stated that most modules were to expensive for the quaility of the software. How would he know if they are "too expensive"

again, not meant to lash out. And as you said in your reply to me "this is my opinion" and have a right to express it.

Marc Chasin, MD

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

A few things:

Opinions are NOT opinions; houses are NOT houses; people are NOT people; cars are NOT cars ... etc.
Sadly, it's easy to mistake an abstraction for having the "same" substance / worth as something else falling under that abstraction.
But EQUALITY is another matter.
The opinion of an expert, generally, has more REAL VALUE than a novice.

But "expert" and "novice," too, are abstractions, of course.

It is a good question to ask: "How should a novice know about how expensive modules are" -- but not to ask it "accusingly." Simply ask: How does the person know. It seems through a very valid method, whether from having read postings here, magazines, speaking w/friends, etc. (We can surmise that since this "novice" is knowledgeable enough to even know of HS -- and that it IS diff. from Palm -- and he likely sees the superior value presented to the consumer by HS ... he's not "just a novice.")

In "denying" that most SB modules cost too much / deliver too little, essentially the sole exception was presented: the Backup SB. Virtually no one denies this. But, as for all the other modules ... well, let's just say that it's pretty instructive that on the other side, the "only one lusted after is the [phantom] "SixPack" -- which, once more, virtually none of us DON'T lust after. (Again, it promises to be one of the few "true-value" SBs.) But we've yet to see it.

Finally, maybe NOW all styli made by HS are the steel-w/screwtop/bottom removable, but back when I got mine (March, 2000), I got the dinky black piece of plastic one.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 65

I thank you for your candid reply. Again, I meant know harm in my initial post. And I appologize to the original thread starter if it was offensive.

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Marc Chasin, MD

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: dynamic!
Posts: 189

quote:

---

All software modules are overpriced. Buy the software version instead of the module and save yourself some money. Also many of the modules that "transform" your handspring into a phone. . .mp3 player. . .etc. . .is a good idea if it weren't for the high price for a mediocre product.

---

I disagree. The availability of the HS flash module is a blessing. I applaud software modules. Anything to conserve space on the Visor, especially with so many huge applications. Even if they're not huge, they add up. Mediocre product? I disagree again. If they work and do what they say they'll do then it seems like a fair shake to me. Who is to judge an unreleased, (and as the good doctor mentioned) unevaluated product? Not me.. but with springboard experience.. So far so good. Buy the module that you want or need. The Bible SB might be next for me. I don't know about King James, and I'd like to see other versions.

Agree or disagree .. it doesn't matter... Once I pay for something I enjoy, I tend to forget about price very quickly. There's no point in dwelling on prices. Buy it.. forget about it.. end of story. Just like the the food you pass under the table to your dog...Don't want it? Get rid of it.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Well I didn't think so much would be written on my overpricing statement. Though I do not have an MD. . .I feel that I have quite a bit of knowledge when it comes to electronics, music, walkmen type devices etc. Now I may be new to the platinum scene and I do love my plat. . .I guess I have not come to the zealot status. All the modules that are bought come in a software download. Which is cheaper. . .So I have tried the products. . .just withouht the modules. The 8 mb of ram and the backup modules are a great idea and there is no software equivalent. But come on. . .paying extra for TW golf? I already use over 6 mb of space on my plat trying this and that. So I do know for me. . .that they are too expensive. But again. . .I don't hold an MD.

The whole appeal of HS visors were that it is supposed to be a great PDA at a cheaper price than Palms. . .and it is. . .but when you buy yourself a cellphone module costing. . .well a lot. . .your defeating the purpose. . .and are you really going to hold a plat or a deluxe to your head? Also. . .being a recent graduate. . .I guess I have a different standards on money. . .since I used to eat ramen day in and day out.

Anyways. . .I stand by opinion that most modules suck and are overpriced in the first place. I'll download what I want.

Oh yeah. . .so what do you do when there is an update for the program? Do you download the patch and install that on your visor? Since I don't believe that you can write to your module. Anyways. . .my 2 cents.

Peter Pham, No MD
*The newly appointed novice*
(I can cut the sarcasm with a knife here folks)

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Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 65

No scarcasm here, I was sincerely appologizing. I appears as the scarcasm is comming from your end.

I respect your opinion but disagree.

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Marc Chasin, MD

Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 65

In reply to your previous message. It is real difficult for me to accept a relitively misinformed opinion. I truly accept an opinion of a individual who has thourghly tested a specific product. Granted in the small amount or time you have has your visor you may have come across some mediocre Springboard modules, but you completely make that blanket statement. If I find that a $299 modem, which I don't have, to be of excellent quaility?(I don't know) or if it sucks, I will only say so after testing it. That is my point. Another example, there are multiple medical texts available on Springboard module--to you they are a waste. but to me they would be the best thing since sliced bread. It is all a matter of what you want to enable your visor to do. Yes ther are certain modules that I don't need or even cant afford, but that does not mean they are poor in quaility. Things are constantly evolving here. Through my evolution with handspring and the Palm OS I have found myself trying an app/springboard module I never thought I would like or even use and it ends up the one I use all the time. My point, Keep and open mind. You may surprise yourself.

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Marc Chasin, MD

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

Hello!!! Pay attention to what I wrote. . .I said that the modules with no software equivalent are great. ie the backup module and the extended ram. That would also include the modem. But you are not going to get the same great quality out of the mp3 player as a MD player without compromise. Ok the med books are great. Wonderful. . .la di da. . .but you can get the software version at a cheaper price. You can get get all the software at a cheaper price. Pay extra and get a module only if your hardup on space.

I said that in general that the modules aren't great. I did not slam every module.

Come on. . .you want me to believe that every module is a godsend? Is HS and third party developers gods of modules. . .*scoff*

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There is no I in team but there is me. =)

Registered: May 2000
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 65

once again, Many of us who purchase modules because we need the memory. So in reply to your previous post the software version might and probably is cheaper BUT you sacrifice valuable RAM, ie expensive real estate. I think you are missing the point of the Springboard module.

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Marc Chasin, MD

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 12

read my previous post again

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

Hey, let's cut the doc some slack at this point, huh? I think I already counted about 3 apologies from him.
Realistically:
A doc makes a bit more cash than, probably, most of us - and almost (?) certainly more than those of us eating Ramen daily.
So "expensive" SBs just won't seem as much so.
Also, if a doc can actually use one of the med. SB's for work, that's a big value ... for a product he can easily afford.
I, personally, wouldn't get one - but I'm glad he can, and can easily afford one.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting on that SixPack....

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Paris
Posts: 66

i think ....

... that i am gonna buy this new toy !!!!

i love the platinum
i hope that one day i will have the Visa platinum

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All about PDAs but especially for the Visor in french for the moment
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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

Software SBM with same price as software only

The Infinity Softworks calculators cost the same for SBM or software only. You asked for an example. Here is one (actually two). http://www.infinitysw.com/products.html

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 1

My new Platinum

Well I've been a die hard palm user for 3 years and I finally made the move to upgrade from my Palm III to a Platinum.

What I like:
- Sturdier feel than early palms and visors
- decent screen contrast (not as good as V/Vx but close)
- springboard expansion. Although some modules are cool and gimicky I'm appreciating the 8MB flash so I can store my tons of books and reference material and still have plenty of space in main memory. I also plan on getting an Omnisky/Goamerica wireless solution. I have good experience with Goamerica and Palm wireless solutions.
- speed - it hangs with me pretty well - i like how responsive the software is.

What I don't like:
- The backlight is absolutely useless - I'm very displeased and hope that Handspring will address this in the next releases

So if I had my way I would give the screen more contrast and better backlighting and this would be perfect. As it stands the lack of decent back lighting may eventually force me to go to the Prism and just carry a shade to deal with it's issues in full sunlight.

The end...

eye

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

to bkbk: cheap plastic styli

I boght my first Visor-Dx about an year ago and it came with the cheap plastic styli. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who got riped off! A friend bought a VDX a few months later and it came with the nice weighted styli. I had to buy a set of those stupid rainbow ones just to get a decent styli.

I now have the V-plat...*very* nice, but I fell like Handspring screwed me again. I really like the snap cover, but graphite on silver doesn't do it for me. Handspring needs to finish what it started and come out with a silver snap cover.

And, as for the heated commentary and sharp words exchanged here...can't we all get along?

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emtetede

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

future devices?

I would really like to see a module that serves as a memory back-up but would recharge my plat when I dock it...I believe the V does this? On apps (mapopolis,...great BTW)it EATS batteries!! I saw a great advertisement: a palm with a sticky-note on it that said "milk...eggs...batteries" har har

I hope I get a 8mb flash for Christmas

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

I have the MiniJam MP3 player and the quality is outstanding.
It costs about the same as an MD player, but I don't have to
carry two devices around! Yes, some of the modules I don't care
for, so I don't buy them. As far as the phone module, again,
you don't have to carry two devices around and your have your
address book ready for dialing thru the phone interface.

I purchased the OmniRemote software over the module because my
Ir performance was adequate for my needs. I didn't need the stronger
transmitter. Saved $40 there, so I do agree with you on some things.
But, the TW game is a memory hog and the SB makes sense.

I was like you about a year and a half ago. I had a TI Avigo and
thought "Who needs the Palm OS? I don't need to read my E-mail
on my handheld!" Guess what? I read it daily now. Views change,
and I hope you see the light soon. When you do, you will enjoy
your PDA a whole lot more.

(Just my opinions.)
Rick

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Rick

www.visorsolutions.com